Israel's far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has sparked a diplomatic crisis after publishing footage of Israeli security forces abusing international activists detained while attempting to sail to Gaza with aid. The video, posted on his social media account with the caption 'Welcome to Israel' in English, shows dozens of men and women kneeling with their foreheads to the ground and hands zip-tied behind their backs. Ben-Gvir appears waving an Israeli flag, mocking and taunting the detainees, including shouting 'The people of Israel live' in the face of a bound man.
Three activists were taken to hospital as a result of Israeli violence, lawyers representing the group said, and were subsequently discharged. Dozens of others have suspected broken ribs, resulting in breathing problems. The rights group Adalah reported 'systemic violations of due process, and widespread physical and psychological abuse by Israeli authorities', with 'a large number of complaints of extreme violence'.
The video drew a rapid and furious response from countries whose citizens were on board the boats, including the UK, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, described Ben-Gvir's behaviour as 'despicable' and said the minister had 'betrayed the dignity of his nation'. Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, called the images 'unacceptable' and demanded the release of all Italian citizens involved, along with an apology. The Spanish foreign minister described the treatment as 'monstrous, disgraceful and inhumane'.
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was 'truly appalled' by the video, which 'violates the most basic standards of respect and dignity'. Australian foreign minister Penny Wong condemned the 'shocking and unacceptable' images, noting that Australia had sanctioned Ben-Gvir. New Zealand's foreign affairs minister, Winston Peters, instructed officials to call in the Israeli ambassador to convey 'grave concerns', adding that New Zealand had placed a travel ban on Ben-Gvir in 2025 for undermining peace and security.
More than 400 activists from 40 countries, travelling on 50 vessels, took part in the flotilla, organisers said. It set off from Turkey carrying food and other aid, in the latest high-profile attempt to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza. Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters on Tuesday and brought everyone on board to Israel. Seven months after a ceasefire came into force in Gaza, hunger is widespread, most Palestinians live in tents or overcrowded shelters without adequate sanitation or access to clean water, and Israeli attacks are still a near-daily occurrence.
